Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt turns down £60m Manchester United move as Barcelona emerge as favourites to land highly-rated defender
- Matthijs de Ligt is likely to be one of the most sought-after players this summer
- Defender is key part of the Ajax side taking the Champions League by storm
- The 19-year-old has turned down the chance to join Manchester United
Matthijs de Ligt has ‘turned down’ the chance to join Manchester United this summer.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed an incredible breakthrough season at Ajax, and became the youngest captain in Champions League semi-final history last week when he led out his side against Tottenham.
His performances in Europe’s elite competition for the Dutch side have turned the heads of a host of top clubs in Europe, including those at Old Trafford.
Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt has reportedly turned down a move to Manchester United
However, according to Marca, the centre back has turned down the club that were consigned to Europa League football next season after their weekend draw with Huddersfield.
According to the Spanish paper, Barcelona are in pole position to land the teenage sensation, who will lead his team out in the Champions League once more on Wednesday night when they face Spurs in the second leg of their semi-final.
The Spanish champions have lodged a bid of £70m, and De Ligt is understood to be keen on the move.
Barcelona are thought to be favourites to land the defender should he leave Ajax this summer
If he did, he would follow in the footsteps of team-mate Frenkie de Jong, who will join Ernesto Valverde’s side in the summer.
Before any thoughts of a move, De Ligt will be focused on guiding Ajax to the Champions League final.
He has already lifted one piece of silverware this season after the Amsterdam outfit claimed the Dutch Cup on Sunday after comfortable 4-0 win over Willem II.
The 19-year-old captained his side to victory in the Dutch Cup final at the weekend
